THE South Herefordshire Hunt’s final point-to-point at Garnons Estate proved to be a historic occasion for more than one reason.

Richard Burton rode a spirited finish on the Rucker family’s That’s Ben, trained by Sheila Crow, in the restricted race to beat Findlay’s Find (John Mathias) by a neck.

The seemingly impossible task of catching Julian Pritchard’s record of 384 winners became feasible for Burton.

For his next two rides, he was at his best, winning on Jo Priest’s relatively unfancied 13-year-old Heavy Weather by two lengths in a field of fine men’s open horses.

In the first division of the two-and-half mile maiden, Burton partnered David Weaver’s Sin E An Capaill but Mathias and Cilrhiwron were keen to spoil the party.

A glorious battle to the run-in saw Sin E An Capaill sweep by on the outside and make history with Burton’s record-breaking 385th winner.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” admitted the Shropshire-based jockey.

“It’s an honour to equal and break the record of my friend and role model.”

Patrick Darling, joint master of the South Herefordshire Hunt, was in the winner’s enclosure to greet Elm School Story, the five-year-old mare gifted to his daughter Dreda by her headmaster Clive Ashby, who bred her.

Sarah Jayne Davies recorded an exciting double, riding Upton Springs to victory in the AGA Ladies Open and greeting her charge Turn Card, who took the event for novice riders with 19-year-old Rob Jarrett.